IDE Channel (atapi) Service Defaults in Windows 8

ATAPI IDE Miniport Driver by Microsoft Corporation.

Default Settings

Startup type: Boot
Display name:IDE Channel
Service name:atapi
Service type:kernel
Error control:critical
Group:SCSI Miniport
Path:%SystemRoot%\System32\drivers\atapi.sys
Registry key:HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\atapi

Default Behavior

The IDE Channel service is a kernel device driver. In Windows 8 it is being loaded by Boot Loader before Kernel initialization. If IDE Channel fails to load or initialize, the error details should be automatically logged. Then Windows 8 is restarting the PC and attempting to use the Last Known Good configuration. If the Last Known Good configuration isn't working properly, Windows 8 startup ends with a Stop error. If you disable the atapi service, Windows 8 will fail to start.

Restore Default Startup Configuration of IDE Channel

1. Run the Command Prompt as an administrator.

2. Copy the commands below, paste them into the command window and press ENTER:

sc config atapi start= boot
sc start atapi

3. Close the command window and restart the computer.

The atapi service is using the atapi.sys file that is located in the C:\Windows\System32\drivers directory. If the file is removed or corrupted, read this article to restore its original version from Windows 8 installation media.